Your 2 cents on computer engineering graduate programs.

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi guys, </p>

<p>First of all, I gotta say I love this forum, it has helped me a ton in the past. So thanks for all the help. </p>

<p>But how to the main issue... I'm a fourth year computer engineering major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and I'm graduating this year. I've had my sights on a PhD for a while now, either in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering. The problem is that I really don't know where to go/apply. If you could give me some recommendations I'd be really greatful! </p>

<p>There's also another MAJOR problem. Cal Poly is really focused on hands on work, and we have very little research opportunity... as a result, I have no "real" research experience. I know, this is killer. This is one of the main reasons I'm here. But I can trust the opinions on college confidential, so I want to know what you guys think.</p>

<p>Here is some info about me:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.77
GRE: Q:790, V:510 (old GRE)</p>

<p>I've had 2 internships, one in Redmond, Washington with AT&T where I was a part of setup and testing of their (then, up and coming) 4G networks.</p>

<p>One in Los Angeles in the Systems Research and Development department of a biomedical company by the name of Second Sight, who just released one of the worlds first retinal prostheses (if you haven't heard of them and are interested in that sort of thing, look it up. it's really cool stuff.)</p>

<p>I've worked on countless projects like a programmable camera track, a self-tracking solar concentrator. I was also the programmer for a masters thesis project, in which we designed a real-time tracking system using passive RFID. </p>

<p>Also, a few friends and I designed a repair tool which we have turned into a small business and is growing pretty quickly. RepairTech</a> Solutions | | RepairTech Solutions </p>

<p>I've tutored systems programming and computer architecture courses. And I've been an instructional student assistant for a senior level biomedical engineering class.</p>

<p>I think my numbers are decent and I've got a lot of experience. But still, I dont know what graduate schools would look for a student without much research experience. </p>

<p>I really appreciate your recommendations, as well as any feed back of course!</p>

<p>Thanks a lot guys,
Yashar</p>

2

<p>The things you’re talking about doing are pretty darned close to research experience; I really don’t think it’ll be a huge deal. The only thing you might need to talk about a little bit is why grad school if you haven’t done an REU or something of that sort.</p>

<p>(And those projects are considerably more interesting and probably educational than what most students do for research.)</p>

3

<p>thanks RacinReaver. You think that it’ll be enough for any of the top 25 schools?</p>

<p>Also, my main goal for grad school is to become a professor. Although, I feel that may be a little too cliche of a reason. I feel like i would also really like research but then again I cant say that for sure.</p>

4

<p>Any recommendations on schools?</p>

5

<p>I think you’ve got a decent shot, though you should really talk with professors in your program as they’ve probably known students with track records similar to your own (+/- a little) and can let you know where they were able to get in.</p>

6

<p>I don’t know about those particular aspects of EE or CS. But my dd is now a 3rd year PhD track student at a top 10ish. She approached the research for her applications by talking to her profs and also looking into visiting speakers that appealed to her. The most important thing she did was to be sure about what she wanted to do, which was CS theory, and then to pinpoint which aspect of specialization within that area was important. She then looked at the profs in the top schools and also the not top schools that had respected profs that were doing this kind of work. She also considered the department overall, but that was after acceptances, I think.</p>

<p>She did have demonstrated research, which is very important. I can’t tell from your description if you do or not, but your interships do sound great. TA is a nice bonus since you usually have to do it in grad school. Any reason not to get a Master’s first? i know my dd wanted to be an academic and professional researcher, but is learning more about if it is attainalbe, viable or desirable in the end. I’m waiting to see.</p>